Actor-politician Kamal Haasan, who heads the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), has come out in support of actor Suriya’s remarks on the draft National Education Policy, criticising both Tamil Nadu’s AIADMK-led government and the Centre.

Kamal Haasan’s statement

In a post on Twitter, Haasan said he agreed with many of the points Suriya had made and offered him his backing. He said he condemned the “autocratic attitude of the Centre and the State”, and argued that Suriya had every right to speak on education because he and his family had done a great deal for the education of poor students.

What Suriya said

Speaking to the media on July 13, Suriya said the policy sought to impose entrance and qualifying examinations on students and to bring the three-language formula to Tamil Nadu. He said three languages were being imposed in early schooling and that students in public schools would be the most affected. Noting that sixty per cent of students study in government schools, where teachers are in short supply, he said the new policy needed to be discussed.

Criticism of Suriya

The actor has faced criticism from the AIADMK and the BJP over his views. The AIADMK said it could not respond to what it called “half-baked” statements, while state BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan said people with no understanding of the policy were commenting on it.

See also: Political leaders | Election news

Originally published on 17 July 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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